A campaign has been launched to bring back a vital children’s service in Weymouth.

Earlier this month the Echo reported how The Children’s Society Waves project will be shutting at the end of next month due to problems finding funding.

Waves has been running in the town for more than 25 years. Over that time it has acted as an advice hub for young people to support mental wellbeing while also offering guidance and counselling for a range of issues including those who have suffered domestic abuse.

A group called KEEP WAVES has been formed by Councillor Tia Roos to campaign to bring back the service.

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Cllr Roos said: “I was so upset to hear about the closure of Waves. I have a young child, who goes to school locally and one day he or his classmates might need to use the services for whatever reason.

“Constantly we are hearing about how children are being neglected of funding, they really are at the bottom of the pile. I think that’s the worst thing a society can do. Our children will grow up to lead our country, if they’re not supported it affects our future.

“It’s very upsetting when children get overlooked. A service like this should be a number one priority.”

She said the group will be looking at what it can do to get Waves back. She added: “The local authority doesn’t have the money, they have offered us £10,000. But Waves needs about £125,000 to provide the service. I think to be honest it’s something more appropriate to the new Dorset Council after the elections, they will have new budgets and perhaps they can help.

“I have spoken to some of the people who work at Waves and we agreed that the least we can do is start a campaign. It’s really important that everyone who cares about this service gets together to discuss how we can take this up a level.

“The fact that Waves is going will have a knock-on effect in Weymouth. It’s so important because there isn’t anywhere else to go, mental health services and community resources are all being stripped. There’s very little funding available.

“As a local councillor I thought let’s get this group started. Let’s share some ideas about how we can fight back and maybe re-establish the service.”

“It’s about coming together with ideas. That might include everyone writing a letter to the new unitary authority or contacting our MP Richard Drax.”

Visit www.facebook.com and search KEEP WAVES.

Sad to see Waves go:

Residents were shocked to hear of the closure of Waves.

Callan Mcgiveron, aged 17 from Weymouth, said: “I have been using the service of Waves on and off for around three years now and it has been a great help to me, Waves offers the youth of Dorset a less corporate approach to the counselling service provided in the UK. I can say personally that all the staff at Waves care for the people they mentor, they have given a platform for the youth of this area to really understand the issues they have and to be assisted through them. From experience with Justine, a worker from Waves. I can say my life would not be the way it is now if it wasn’t for the support I was given at Waves. The closure of this support service will be a great loss for the community and an even greater loss for the young people struggling with their mental health in the surrounding areas.”